Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
[b] The Faith of an AtheistBy William Stewart
Just this past week, I had the opportunity to talk with a self-proclaimed Atheist. I found it to be a rather interesting conversation. He discussed several things, which he found to be adequate evidence to discount the existence of God, none of which stood to any measure of inspection. Yet, he vehemently stood firm on the grounds of "scientific fact." He related to me that he found believing in God to be impossibility, due to a lack of evidence. I heard him out, and then decided to share with him some things important to his situation. I began with the statement, "It takes more faith to be an Atheist than it does to be a Christian." If nothing else, this statement certainly perked his interest. He then declared to me that Atheism requires no faith, for it is based upon solid scientific data. I went on to share the following number of points with him concerning the faith of an Atheist.
To Be An Atheist, One Must Believe... THAT GOD DOES NOT EXIST.
As we look about us, we see that man is a religious creature by nature. Regardless of where you go, you will find people who have a need to worship some greater being than themselves. The Romans and Greeks had their mythological gods. Many submit themselves to the worship of Buddha. Allah is considered by a great number of people to be worthy of worship and praise. But most of all, the God of heaven, tile one true God is the focus of many. If you were to stand on a street corner, asking whether people believe in God or not, I say with confidence that if each individual answered truthfully, you would be hard pressed to find any who will say no. This brings us to one of two conclusions:
1. It is practical and sensible to believe there has to be an eternal being superior to ourselves
2. The larger part of society is completely irrational.To Be An Atheist, One Must Believe... THAT MATTER IS EITHER ETERNAL OR IT CREATED ITSELF.
To hold to the ideas of atheism, which is for the most part partial to the theory of evolution, one must believe that matter is either eternal or it created itself. Seeing that the Atheist has removed the possibility of a Creator, these are the only two options which remain. I asked the individual about the nature of the universe: ETERNAL or HAD A BEGINNING. A seemingly easy question, but over and over, he declined to give a straight answer. Yet, if we look at the evidence, we understand that the universe had a beginning. Scientists themselves attempt to assign an age to our planet, and the universe as a whole. Those things which are eternal have no age. The reason they attempt to assign an age to the world in which we live is because it bears the characteristics of age. Such things, which are eternal, are not governed by time. We are told in Scripture that with the Lord a "...day is as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day." Yet, the universe is subject to time. The universe is running down. It is wearing out. Things on earth are corrupt, and worsening year after year. It is approaching an inevitable end. It cannot be eternal. The only other option for those who deny the presence of a Supreme God is that the universe created itself. That is possibly the most absurd thing, which could ever be considered. Matter does not have the ability to create itself. A desk cannot bring itself into existence. What man has ever created him! If matter were able to create itself, consider the chaos which would occur! One would possibly be driving along a road, and a tree would appear from nowhere! Yet such things do not occur!
To Be An Atheist, One Must Believe... THAT LIFE IS SPONTANEOUSLY GENERATED.
In denying the existence of God, the Atheist is forced to believe that life is able to spontaneously generate. In other words, life can come from that which has none. We understand God to be the Creator of all things, and that He is the source of life. Yet, if we remove God from the picture, we remove the breath of life which He gives. Thus, somewhere along the line, according to the Atheist's belief system, life spontaneously came into being. It never existed before. It has absolutely no source. It just started itself somehow at some time.
To Be An Atheist, One Must Believe... THAT ORDER AND DESIGN ARE RESULTS OF NON- INTELLIGENT ACCIDENTS.
As we look about us at the wonders of creation, we can understand that God is the Master Designer. He purposefully created the world with order. Trees need carbon dioxide, mammals need oxygen. The two complement one another with the exchange of these gases. Our planet is exactly the correct distance from the sun. Any closer, we would burn up. Any further away, we would freeze. Approximately 2/3 of the earth is covered with water. This keeps the core temperature at an acceptable level. The gravitational forces on earth are such that we can walk freely about, without fear of being driven into the ground, nor lifted into space. The human body is a wondrous design. It is designed to repair itself in many instances. It has several functions, which automatically are cared for without the need for us even thinking about them. As was written, we are "...fearfully and wonderfully made." The Atheist though must affirm that all these wonders, and many, many more are merely the result of an accidental happening. They, claim that no intelligence was involved in the forming of our world. It was simply the process of a " big bang." If such is possible, that something as wonderful as the universe can result from an unintelligent "bang,"' then something which is infinitely simpler should also be able to come together with a logical order and design without intelligence. For instance, what if we should disassemble a watch, place all the parts into a box, close the box, and begin shaking. How long before the watch will be fully assembled again? Shake as much and as hard as you can, you will never result in a watch. Though all the needed parts are present, a watchmaker is also needed. A source of intelligent construction. How much more does the universe need an intelligent Maker? ,
To Be An Atheist, On Must Believe... THAT NON- CONSCIOUSNESS EVOLVES TO CONSCIOUSNESS.
The theory of evolution affirms that we are the descendants of a one-cell organism. This one- cell organism has no consciousness. It does not know that it exists. We, who are conscious of ourselves, and of the happenings surrounding us, according to the assertions of the atheist have evolved from this creature. How is it we became conscious beings? Can consciousness come from unconsciousness? If it can, does that mean that someday my desk will be aware of itself? I should hope not; it may decide then to walk away, since it would be its own being.
To Be An Atheist, One Must Believe... THAT NON-MORALITY EVOLVES TO MORALITY.
Atheists have a hard time explaining morality. If we evolved from creatures that operate on instinct, not conscience, how is it that we have developed the ability to use conscience? Where did morality find its beginning? Did one ape finally decide that killing another ape was wrong? Did one decide that it was wrong to steal another ape's supper? No such things have occurred! Morality finds it origin in the existence of God. He has given a law, which therein establishes morality. However, the Atheist cannot explain where morality came from. Further, the Atheist can not give a reason for doing good. There is no reason, if we will not be judged. Why should we yield our own desires in order to serve others? The answer, we shall be judged!
Truly, Atheism is a faith. And without doubt, upon careful examination, it would seem that it takes more faith to be an Atheist than it does to be a Christian. Paul wrote, "...since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." The world in which we live declares on a daily basis, GOD IS. If one is sincere in their search, they cannot help but come to the conclusion that there is an eternal God, who is Creator of all.
http://www.ktc.net/jcthwychurch/Articles/faith_of_an_atheist.htm [/B]
Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
You are getting sillier and sillier.
You do realise the hoaxes don't actually damage evolution in the least?
And why do they have dinosaurs and the like in the picture? Are you implying that dinosaurs are hoaxes? And you do know that when our hominid ancestors were about dinosaurs had been long extinct?
Stupid picture.
Originally posted by Impediment
JIA should take some of his own medicine. How do you know that Jesus and God or whoever really do exist? By all accounts you are the one who should be agnostic.
Because Jesus Christ put the witness of His Spirit in my heart. I KNOW Jesus exists. I KNOW God is real. There isn't one iota of doubt in my heart that God the Father and God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit exist.
You are contradicting yourself in every way here, JIA.
Why don't you go take the test in the thread I made in the OTF and offer your "words of truth" to the members there and preach to them?
Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
Because Jesus Christ put the witness of His Spirit in my heart. I KNOW Jesus exists. I KNOW God is real. There isn't one iota of doubt in my heart that God the Father and God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit exist.
In the cosmic sense, we (Earth and the human race) are nil. In cosmic terms, we are a subatomic particle in a grain of sand on an infinite beach. You offer me a "test of awakening and revelation" that tells me that my beliefs are wrong, while you get up on your high horse and preach to me about a guy who got nailed to two pieces of wood over 2,000 years ago. To me, that's "the pot calling the kettle black". My beliefs may be wrong, maybe there is a possibility of a higher being or beings. But don't sit there all "Holier than thou" and tell me that you KNOW for a fact that God/Jesus exists while you try to debunk my beliefs. My atheism comes from a lack of evidence. The absence of evidence of a god is my backbone of arguement. Where's is yours? In your mind? In your heart? In your soul? That warm and fuzzy feeling you get while you speak in tongues at church? I can get that same feeling for about $20. If you believe in the Christian god, fine. I have no problem with an individual who has beliefs. Who the hell am I to tell you that you're an idiot or that you're wrong? But how dare you do that to me? Just like Shakyamunison said: You are being a hippocrite. There is so much about the universe and the world we live in that we (mankind) doesn't know yet. Maybe you're the one who's wrong, JIA.
Originally posted by Impediment
In the cosmic sense, we (Earth and the human race) are nil. In cosmic terms, we are a subatomic particle in a grain of sand on an infinite beach. You offer me a "test of awakening and revelation" that tells me that my religion is wrong, while you get up on your high horse and preach to me about a guy who got nailed to two pieces of wood over 2,000 years ago. To me, that's "the pot calling the kettle black". My beliefs may be wrong, maybe there is a possibility of a higher being or beings. But don't sit there all "Holier than thou" and tell me that you [b]KNOW for a fact that God/Jesus exists while you try to debunk my beliefs. My atheism comes from a lack of evidence. The absence of evidence of a god is my backbone of arguement. Where's is yours? In your mind? In your heart? In your soul? That warm and fuzzy feeling you get while you speak in tongues at church? I can get that same feeling for about $20. If you believe in the Christian god, fine. I have no problem with an individual who has beliefs. Who the hell am I to tell you that you're an idiot or that you're wrong? But how dare you do that to me? Just like Shakyamunison said: You are being a hippocrite. There is so much about the universe and the world we live in that we (mankind) doesn't know yet. Maybe you're the one who's wrong, JIA. [/B]
What high horse? I have not called you an idiot. (Man, I sure feel like it now but I will refrain from doing such.)
Look you crosspatch I have given you no reason at all to come at me like this. I thought I was talking to an even-tempered individual, but now I think otherwise. What is the matter with you? This is my first time talking to you and you are practically foaming at the mouth.
Crosspatch???? 😑 Wow. WWJD??
I am one of the most even tempered members on this forum, JIA. I've never had a warning from a moderator, like Storm, I've never had a ban, I know a lot of people, and I am helpful and fun to talk to. But what will put me in a bad temperment is when people offer me "solutions" to my beliefs, because in your eyes I'm wrong, and then you tell me that you KNOW that you're right. BTW, I did not say that you called me an idiot. Foaming at the mouth? Hardly. I think it's you, my Judeo-Christian friend, who is foaming. I was trying to compare beliefs, like a mature, intelligent, and rational individual. You're the one who's up in arms now. Don't you have a scripture, or some 500 word rebuttal for my post?
Originally posted by Impediment
Crosspatch???? 😑I am one of the most even tempered members on this forum, JIA. I've never had a warning from a moderator, like Storm, I've never had a ban, I know a lot of people, and I am helpful and fun to talk to. But what will put me in a bad temperment is when people offer me "solutions" to my beliefs, because in your eyes I'm wrong, and then you tell me that you [b]KNOW
that you're right. BTW, I did not say that you called me an idiot. Foaming at the mouth? Hardly. I think it's you, my Judeo-Christian friend, who is foaming. I was trying to compare beliefs, like a mature, intelligent, and rational individual. You're the one who's up in arms now. Don't you have a scripture, or some 500 word rebuttal for my post? [/B]
Did you not ask me a question (it was not the other way around). I simply replied in a personal way. I had no idea that you were going to flip your lid. I don't know how you can conclude/describe yourself (or rather your post) as mature, intelligent, and rational. It sounded like nothing of the sort. You sounded irate to me.
Here is what you stated:
Originally posted by Impediment
"...while you get up on your high horse and preach to me about a guy who got nailed to two pieces of wood over 2,000 years ago. To me, that's "the pot calling the kettle black". My beliefs may be wrong, maybe there is a possibility of a higher being or beings. But don't sit there all "Holier than thou" and tell me that you KNOW for a fact that God/Jesus exists while you try to debunk my beliefs. My atheism comes from a lack of evidence. The absence of evidence of a god is my backbone of arguement. Where's is yours? In your mind? In your heart? In your soul? That warm and fuzzy feeling you get while you speak in tongues at church? I can get that same feeling for about $20. If you believe in the Christian god, fine. I have no problem with an individual who has beliefs. Who the hell am I to tell you that you're an idiot or that you're wrong? But how dare you do that to me? Just like Shakyamunison said: You are being a hippocrite. There is so much about the universe and the world we live in that we (mankind) doesn't know yet. Maybe you're the one who's wrong, JIA."
How dare I do that to you, meaning how dare I tell you that you are wrong and call you an idiot. So yes you insinuated that I did in fact do these things--when I didn't.
Originally posted by Impediment
You can take my post however you want to, JIA. I did not, at least I did not mean to come off as "hostile" or "irate" or even "flipping my lid". I wasn't using any expleteives, or insulting words. You seem to be the delicate type who's easily offended, IMO.
I just don't understand why you couldn't have just said: "Hey, JIA why do you believe as you do?" [Me: Oh, because of what I have experienced.] [You: Oh, just curious. I will still believe what I will believe.] [Me: fine.]